A water supply failure at Gatwick left passengers without access to working toilets or bars and restaurants.

Passengers posted online that they were unable to get hot drinks, wash their hands or fill up water bottles at the airport in Sussex.

The problem also had an impact in the wider Sussex and Kent area on Sunday, water suppliers said.

A statement from Gatwick said: “A water issue in the Horley area is causing disruption at the airport this morning. The problem is affecting water supply in both terminals and is currently under investigation.

“Bottled water is being made available to passengers and staff across the airport and other contingency measures are being put in place to ensure the welfare of our passengers. We will provide further updates and apologise for any inconvenience to passengers.”

Bottled water was being given to travellers at the airport and flights were not affected.

The utility company SES Water said there had been interruptions to water supplies in parts of the TN11, RH1, RH6 and RH10 postcode areas.

In its most recent statement at 2pm, the company said: “We are pleased to provide an update that our Bough Beech water treatment works are back up and running, we now need to treat the water before returning services to normal as quickly as we possibly can. We would like to thank customers and our partners at Gatwick airport for their continued patience, and we are sorry for the inconvenience this is causing. We will update you on the progress of the work as soon as we can.”

The TalkTV presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer posted on X: “If you’re on your way to Gatwick airport, it might be helpful to know that there is no running water across the entire airport. That means no coffees, no water fountains, no flushing toilets and no hand washing.”

On Facebook, one user posted: “Gasping for a drink & crossing my legs right now. This is ridiculous! Gatwick airport has shut all restaurants and most toilets due to a water outage. Not a great start to the holiday.”

The former MP and recently appointed government “music champion” Michael Dugher wrote on social media: “At least allow people to use the chairs in all the closed restaurants and bars. No water is one thing, but depriving people of somewhere to sit is another … Families are having to sit on the floor.”

Roger Wood, from Tunbridge Wells, Kent, arrived at Gatwick’s south terminal at about 11am on Sunday to fly to New York. He told reporters: “There was no communication. We arrived at 11ish and it had only started recently.

“We met friends at the bar but they couldn’t serve us as they were unable to wash their hands. I’ve never seen Wetherspoons empty. No idea when it’ll be resolved. The toilets also lacked water to wash hands.”